Andrea Dinan - CPDT-KA Founder
What excites you about EduCanine? I'm a geek who loves education and dogs so being able to combine my two passions in life and work with other geeks like me is a dream come true.
What do you wish you would have learned earlier that would have made your job easier? Being constantly present is very important when working with dogs. Their language is subtle and quick, so if you aren't paying full attention to your dogs, things can go awry very quickly.
What led you to work with dogs? It was something that happened organically. People in my neighbourhood asked me to help with training and walking their dogs. Wanting to have a deeper understanding led me to find ways to educate myself, which led to an even bigger passion for the inner workings of our best friends. And from there, City Dogs was created.
Learn more about Andrea: www.citydogs.ca
Email learn@educanine.org
Erin Britton - B.Ed - Social Media Director
What is exciting about EduCanine?
I am a passionate learner and teacher and I am so excited that there is now an avenue of learning for dog parents and professionals. The world of dogs is so much deeper than what you see around you. I cannot wait for students to dive in and broaden their knowledge and understanding, as well as their love for our amazing canine companions!
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
Dogs have shown me how to shake it off. Our canine companions don't carry their stress around. They shake it off (literally). Following their example of living in the present and shaking off the stressors around me has drastically improved my overall happiness. Thanks puppies.
What is one thing you wish you had learned before you started working with dogs that would have made your job easier?
I wish I would have learned how to build a relationship with ANY dog before starting to work with them. Building and maintaining a positive relationship with a dog makes the job so much easier and more enjoyable, but every dog requires a different approach and you need to understand how they are communicating.
Learn more about Erin : https://www.acoupleofmutts.ca/
Sarah Wertkin - Intern & Fellow Dog Geek
What led you to work with dogs?
The first dog I had as an adult suffered from severe separation anxiety. He was part of a behavioral study at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School’s Behavior Clinic which was headed by Dr. Karen Overall at the time. Long story short, this study propelled me into the world of dog behavior—something I never really gave much thought about before. This was almost twenty-four years ago and I have been living with dogs, learning about them and from them ever since.
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
Dogs are all about opportunity (how clever!) and their bond with humans is one of the most unique relationships between species.
What is the best dog book that you have read?
Dog Sense by John Bradshaw, changed my entire mindset about dogs for the better. Its written in understandable science and beautifully captures the true nature of dogs and their extraordinary evolution. Bradshaw is also an anthrozoologists! I am also a big fan of Marc Bekoff and Alexandra Horowitz—expert researches in dog behavior with accessible and useful reading for everyone.
Sarah is currently completing her Masters in Anthrozoology and completing her internship with EduCanine.
Don Hutton - KPA Certified - Owner of Running Dogs Training and Behavior
what led to my work with dogs?
I always loved spending time with animals since I was young, I wish I had continued working with animals since my first job as a Vet Assistant, but it took a sketchy Yukon mutt to get me back on course. His name was Bu. A summer with him lead to winters of leading dog sledding tours, before long I was working at the Toronto Humane Society and that’s when I knew I wanted to take the dive into training and behaviour.
what is the best dog book I’ve read?
Well, simply put I think every dog should come with a copy of Jean Donaldson’s Culture Clash! I feel like it’s the most accessible and comprehensive description of how dogs see the world and how we can safely address issues that might come up along the line. She’s my hero! But my other hero is Alexandra Horowitz, he book Inside of a Dog left such an impression on me. I particularly appreciate how she shifts from serious science to gushy dog mom!
which breed best depicts me?
This question feels so exposing! I love northern mutts, sled dogs, reserve dogs, street dogs! This is a huge generalization but I really love a dog who thrives on a hike and I think some of these mentioned are usually pretty good at taking care of themselves. So, to answer the question, I suppose these are the types of dogs I would want to be, I hope they depict me!
Learn more about Don: https://www.runningdogs.ca/
Maggi Burtt - CPDT-KA - Owner of Tailspin Petworx Training
One thing I learned from working with dogs: Dogs are both infinitely simple and exceedingly complicated, they are to be understood not underestimated.
One thing I wished I learned before I started working with dogs? BODY LANGUAGE hands down
The Best dog book I have ever read? The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Learn more about Maggi: https://www.tailspinpetworx.com/
About Us
Emily Tronetti, MS, CPDT-KA - Certified Fear Free Animal Trainer - Owner of Heal to Howl
What is one thing you wish you had learned before you started working with dogs that would have made your job easier?
The first few years of my career working with dogs would’ve been very different had I been taught how to notice the sometimes subtle stress signals of dogs and what to do to help them before their stress escalates. This experience led me to become the advocate that I am. However, for the sake of dogs and the humans who care for them, I hope to help provide this necessary education to other professionals entering the field and to all dog guardians.
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
Working with dogs has helped me see the world through a more empathetic lens. They’ve taught me the importance of kindness and patience again and again. I’ve learned how critical it is to extend compassion not only to all dogs but to all living beings.
What is exciting about EduCanine?
There’s a lot of dangerous misinformation out there about dogs. I strongly believe that compassionate, science-based education can vastly improve the lives of dogs and those who love them. EduCanine’s commitment to kindness and quality education is exciting because I truly think it has the power to save lives.
Learn more about Emily at www.healtohowl.com
Daniel Josselyn - KPA - Low Stress Handling Certified Owner of Golden Rule Dog Training
What led you to work with dogs?
I first moved to Toronto 13 years ago with my beloved 18-year-old cocker spaniel, Kayla. I was still looking for work when she passed away from a stroke at the age of 19. I never had children, but Kayla was like a child to me, my only child. When she died in my arms, I was crushed. I decided to spend the rest of my life working with dogs as a way of helping me cope with the grief of losing Kayla, and also as way of giving something back to all dogs, after this dog had given so much to me.
What is the best dog movie that you have seen?
I’m not sure if it’s the best, but I recently watched a movie called “Superpower Dogs” at the science center and Loved it! It’s about working dogs that do search and rescue, help people with PTSD cope with their trauma, and save people that fall off boats from drowning. All these tasks are framed as “Superpowers” and the dogs, along with their human partners, are all superheroes. I Love superhero movies and I Love dogs, so I literally cried happy tears the entire movie!!
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
If you want to get good anything, put a firm foundation in place and gradually build on incremental successes. The first dog training course I ever took was called “Foundations” and I Loved it. It was taught by a local Karen Pryor Academy trainer and that inspired me to take the KPA dog trainer professional course myself. They taught me the value of laying a firm foundation by being more methodical, taking notes, and gradually building on successes. It was a life changing experience. I was never a very methodical person, but I vividly remember at the time telling my partner “I am going to become a more methodical person.” And I did! This didn’t just change the way I work with dogs, it also made me a better dart player, physically healthier, and happier. Now I teach a class called “Foundations” and try to help others learn the value of laying a firm foundation grounded in science and building on incremental successes.
Learn more about Dan at http://goldenruledogs.com/
Instructors
Bev Spotton - Registered Canine Massage Therapist - TTouch Practitioner - Owner of Mobile Canine Care
What excites me about EduCanine?
It is a reliable source of excellent information for pet parents about their dogs. This is so important, because there is such a glut of information and, particularly, misinformation, available everywhere. EduCanine is creating a place where pet parents can be assured that they will be getting the very best instruction.
How I was led to working with dogs. By a dog...My 'firstborn', a rescue named Toby, was my first dog teacher. Together, we explored so much! Challenges, adventures, successes. But it was his final illness that led me to learn about massage as a wonderful modality to support health.
Best dog book
So many excellent books available now! But, truthfully, the best 'dog book' I have read and will read, is each and every dog. They all have so much to offer, and so much to teach us - about themselves, about ourselves, about living their best life, whatever their circumstances.
We just have to listen...
Learn more about Bev: https://www.mobilecaninecare.com
Beverly McKee - CCPDT-KA - IAABC Certified EduCanine Co-Founder
to work with dogs?
It was inevitable. I was the youngest member of the TriTown Kennel Club and voted to the board of directors when I was 13 years old. I'm sure that was illegal but they humoured me. I won my first competition trophy in advanced obedience shortly thereafter. It may have been rigged.
What is one important lesson that you have learned from working with dogs?
All dogs are individuals and identifying competing motivators from a dogs-eye view has helped me immensely with figuring out why dogs do the things they do.
What is the best dog book that you have read?
Everyone talks about their AHA! moment and for me, it was reading "The Other End of the Leash" by Dr. Patricia McConnell. For the first time, I looked at dogs as not minions sent to earth to obey us because we happen to give them food and shelter, but as members of a species who communicate in a completely different way than primates. This book, more than any other book, really opened doors to my understanding the "whys" of dog behaviour and how we must appear to them with our insistence on communicating in ways that are completely baffling to them.